Right now I'm ticked off because a colleague I really like like and admire just sent me a ridiculously offensive forward of a Maxine cartoon. The cartoon starts off all right but then tries to pin our current economic shit-storm on illegal aliens coming here and taking all our "free" rights. What bullshit.
I found it highly offensive on multiple levels. So called "illegals" aren't why we're in this economic mess. No one points to our own greed and says, "That's why we're here!" - everyone wants something for nothing. People who come to this country, legally or otherwise, weren't responsible for poor executive management of the banks/mortgage/insurance industries. It's interesting that with the exception of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, there doesn't seem to be anyone pointing to the government and noting that it didn't do it's fucking job to oversee business and banking. And when it comes to people demanding free money and support, AIG is standing at the head of the line, demanding more and more and more of taxpayer money.
So as far as I'm concerned all those people claiming that illegal immigrants are ruining this country can just shut the fuck up. We're talking about people who left a bad situation, and possible their children and spouses, to struggle to create a better life in a supposedly better place. Everyone has a right to living above subsistence level. There's nothing like listening to a man who makes $200K/year for talking complain about illegal immigrants coming into this country and "stealing our jobs." And, yes, I mean Lou Dobbs.
This country was never populated only by immigrants who "came through Ellis Island legally" and anyone who believes that is delusional. People have always come to this country illegally and stayed, encouraging their children's assimilation and citizenship. That is what keeps us vibrant and growing as a country; a healthy dose of new minds, ideas, and ways of doing things.
